Apparatus for controlling electric circuits



Jan. 25, 1944. e. M. STAPLETON 2,340,037 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRI C CIRCUITS Filed March 21, 1941 7 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 7! Jul ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1944. I G. M. STAPLETON I 2,340,087

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed March 21, 1941 .6 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 Z d a 2 2/ 3- 6 INVENTOR 6' a 7. vics/ lflrapzzm/v ATTORN EY 4 e. M. STAPLETON I ,3 0

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed March 21, 1941 e Sheets-She et 3 Jill/115011111111!!! A; ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1944. I G. M. STAPLETON ,3 0, I

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS 'I'iII I IIIJIIIIII I 4": {III/II IIIIIIIIIIIIII n In III

. INVENTOR kazmz-VK 57421524 I BY ' ATTORNEY;

Jan. 25, 1944. G. M. STAPLETQN 0, 7

I APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed March 21, 1941 r 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 25, 1944- G. M. $TAPLETON 2,340,087

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed March 21, 1941 a SheetS -Sheet s M ATTORNEY;

Patented Jan. 25, 1944 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS h George M, Stapleton, New York, N. Y.,'assignor to Ward Leonard Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application March 21, 1941, Serial No. 384,485

23 Claims.

This invention relates to the control of electric circuits by adjustment of a suitable form of controlling device which will change the value of the current in the controlled circuit, such as by means 'of an adjustable resistance device or rheostat. The invention is particularly applicable to the control of lighting circuits in theaters and the like and for various spectacularproductions where .it is desirable to produce various lighting efiects by a plurality of lamp circuits, although theinvention is applicable to other purposes where it is desired to afiect a plurality of electric circuits in various ways and in various combinaintermediate degrees of illumination, whereas in the next scenecertain of said circuits may be desired to be of the same or difierent illumination and additional lamp circuits may be utilized variously controlled to give desired scenic effects.

Likewise, subsequent scenes may require different control of the individual circuits and utilize certain of the circuits which may or may not have been used in prior scenes.

be gradually changed to the desired illumination of thatv scene and during such change which In passing from an' existing scene to the next scene, the controls should be such that the lighting of the existing changed proportionately by the master soas to maintain approximately the relative lighting effects. Furthermore, it is desirable to enable themaster to control any selected circuits of a given scene without controlling other circuits and this is accomplished by enabling and disabling devices t'o give any desired selectivity of control by the master. Also, the masters should be provided so that they may selectively control the circuits of any scene and in some casesthe requirements may be such that the masters are selectively controlled by grand masters. The

provision of controlling means of the abovecharacter permits the obtainment of various combinations of lighting eiIects and the control there-F of in various ways to fulfill the requirements of theatrical and spectacular productions.

The main object of this invention is to provide apparatus for accomplishing the above described control of circuits by apparatus of comparatively simple form of construction of the various parts and which will be dependable and durable in operation and insure positive opera-- tion of thepartsin the manner desired. Another object is to accomplish this by providing means for the control of individual circuits respectively so that the wiring connections to the control board will be simple and not involve complicated inter-connected circuits and'the use of a large number of electrical controlling devices of various' character.

means of a character which may be adapted for the control ofa comparatively small number of circuits, or adapted to be built up'to control any number of gircuits desired and to provide for master control and grand master control as may or may not be required in various installations.

takes place simultaneously with the change of the prior scene, the relative lighting effects during, the passing to the second scene should be approximately maintained. 'dIfhis transfer is generally known as fading.

In addition to the set-ups of the different scenes and the transfer above referred to, it is also desirable to change the lighting efiects in any one scene to any degree desired and to return to the lighting condition of such scene, or to adjust the degree of lighting to any desired condition. This is accomplished by a master,

which simultaneously controls the difierent circuits and such control should be accomplished so that the lighting of the controlled circuits is Other objects and advantages will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. v r

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a circuit controlling panel; Fig. 2 is likewise a side elevation but with certain parts removed from the panel; Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 except showing the parts shiftedtoa different scene; .Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 1. except'the enabling means is-shifted to make the master control efiective in one scene; Fig. 5

is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a ,sec-

tion on line 6-6 ofFig. 4; Fig. 7 is a face View of certain controlling parts; Fig. 8 is an edge view thereof; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the line llll0 of Fig. 4; Fig. 11 is a front view of two sets of panels with master and iader'.- control; Fig. 12 is a front view of two sets of Another object is to provide panels with interlocking masters, grand master and fader control; Fig. 13 is a side elevation line the enamel is removed so as to expose aportion of the wire at each turn giving a large numahowing the interlocking masters; Fig. 14 is a horizontal section on the line ll-ll of Fig. 13: Fig.15 is a side elevation showing the grand master panels; and Fig. 16 is a front elevation of the shafts at the rear of the master and fader panels of Fig. 12 showing the connections thereto.

Fig. 1 shows one panel unit for controlling its individual related electric circuit. It is adapted to extend vertically and itsmain support is in the form cl. 9. sheet metal plate I bent at its front portion to form the face la of the panel. It is her of adjoining contact surfaces 6a along the front of the tube. The tube is provided with a terminal b at each end for connecting the re-' sistive conductor in series with the circuit to be controlled. The tube is supported at each end provided with projecting ends lb for fastening to a skeleton frame which may support any desired number of panels side by side, or in rows above and below each other. A second plate 2 is supported on the main plate and spaced in front of it by screws and spacing sleeves 2a. The second plate covers only the upper portion of the main plate and supports the parts for the setting of scene I and the parts for enabling and disabling master control for scene I while the upper I portion of the rear plate supports the parts for the setting of scene 2 and the enabling and disabling means for master control of scene 2. The lower portion of the main panel supports the circuit controlling device and the fader control for shifting from one scene to the other.

Fig. 11 is an illustration, as an example, of two rows or sets of panels as shown in Fig. I. there being three such panels in the, upper row at the left and three in the lower row at the left. Ad-

joining the panels of the upper row are two master panels 3a and'ab and adjoining the panels in the lower row are two master panels and 3d. Adjoining the master panels of the upper row is a fader panel 4. Obviously any number of individual circuit controlling panels la may be assembled' side by side and in any number of rows according to therequirements of any particular installation.

Referringnow to Fig. 1, in the lower portion of the panel is shown a slidable sheet metal plate 5 which is supported upon the main panel and spaced therefrom by three screws and sleeves 5a. These screws project through three horizontal slots 5b in the plate and under the heads of these screws are washers for retaining the plate in position. The plate is slidable from the position near the front of the panel towards the rear of, the panel to the position shown in Fig, 3, the supporting'screws serving to limit movement of the panel in the two extreme positions. Extending rearwardly from the upper left-hand corner of the plate, as shown in Fig. 1, is a pin 50. This is engaged by the slotted end of an arm 5d, the upper end of which is pivotally supported on the plate I. The arm 5d has connected thereto a second arm ie which extends rearwardly beyond the'paneland is controlled by operation of the fader shaft.

The plate 5 carries the device for controlling the individual circuit of this panel. In the present instance this is shown as a variable resistance device in the form of a tubular unit 6.

This is formed of a central insulating support, as shown in Fig. 5, around which is wound the resistive conductor making'up a large number of turns from one -end to the'other of the unit. This conductor is suitably insulated between adjacent by a metal strip 60 which is cut out from the plate 5- and bent at right-angles to engage and trolled circuit. It is this variable movement of' the contact bar I which influences the change of lighting effects of the controlled circuit; and this resistance may control the lamp circuit directly, or through saturable reactors or in any other of the well known ways.

The contact bar I is carried by a block of insulation la-which in turn is carried by the lower 'end of a screw lb. This screw has a threaded engagement with a metal block lc, as well shown in Fig. 5, which in turn is carried by the lower end of 'a metal strip Id, the upper end of which'has inwardly turned ears le at opposite sides which embrace a block If. This block carries a pin lg on which the ears 1e are pivotally supported. A

metal strip lh is fixedat its upper end to the bottom ofthe block If and extends downwardly over the plate 5. This strip 1k is slidably mounted on the plate 5 upwardly and downwardly, such movement being permitted by vertical slots Ii, as shown in Fig. 6 and is guided in its movement by washers and screws 17 which pass through the strip and are fixed at their inner ends to the plate 5. A tension spring lie is secured at one end to the face of the strip In and at the other end to the under side of the strip id for the purpose of yieldingly holding the contact bar I in good electrical contact with the contact surfaces to of the resistive unit. In view of the contact bar being supported by the screw lb which may turn in the block lc, it results that the pressure exerted by the spring 'llc will be imposed equally on the two arms of the contact ban! and thereby insure 1 uniform contact engagement in all positions of, the contact bar. The screw lb also serves as a means for adjusting the contact bar to its proper position which may be accomplished by turning the strip Id on its pivot' upwardly and then turning the contact bar until the desired inward or outward adjustment of thescrew lb is obtained.

The upper end of the contact strip lh-carries on itsinner face a projecting pin lm; and it is by actuation of this that variable control of the circuit is obtained.

turns and on its extemal' surface preferably by vitreous enamel. At the front of the tube is formed a projection for the purpose of projecting This action results from the fact that when the pin ha is moved it will move the plate 1h and also the supporting block 1] which in turn moves the contact strip 1d and contact bar 1. Thus these parts form a vertically movable unit for changin the amount of resistance in the controlled circuit by adjustment of the contact bar in the manner already described.

The means for adjusting the contact bar I to any vertical position for obtaining a desired the turns of wire along a line; and along this n lighting effect of theparticular circuit controlled pin upwardly or downwardly in the different .scenes will now be described.'

Referring to Fig. 1, the handle 8 for. adjusting the contact bar for say the first scene, is at the front of the narrow portion Ia of the panel plate and is mounted on a disk 8a which is rotatably mounted upon a screw and spacing sleeve 8b fixed to the plate 2. The disk is spaced a short distance froni the plate 2 and is provided with a radially extending slot 8c. A pin 801 extends into this slot from the rear of the disk, the pin being fixed to a slidable strip 9 of metal which extends horizontally-across the plate 2. It is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 90. through which extend screws 9b which are fixed at their inner ends to the plate 2 and serve to guide the strip 9 in its longitudinal movement. It is evident that the movement of the handle'8 will, through the pin connection-with this strip, cause the movement of the strip to any desired position.

The strip .8 carries a trough-shaped element III During this movement the element III will maintain its angular position shown in Fig. l by reason of its pin IIIc passing in the horizontal slot Ila and, thereby preventing any rotation of the element In around its pivot pin. As the element 'moves toward the front of the panel, the pin I2d is gradually forced upwardly which in turn causes the strip I2 to slide upwardly. The upward movement of this strip by its pin connection results in the upward movement of the parts fixed to the strip 9. The rear end of the element IIl carries a pin Illc which projects outwardly from the same and engages a slot Ila in another .the plate I through an opening in the'plate 2 procarrying the contact bar I. When the handle 8 has been moved down to its lowest position, the

contact bar may be adjusted'to give any desired intermediate condition of the controlledcircuit,

- the controlled circuit.

g In addition to the parts already described as controlled by the handle 8, there is another set of similar parts controlled by the handle I4 which is fixed to a rotary disk 'lda positioned at the side ofthe handle 8 and disk 8a. The parts controlled vided by a' cut-out portion from this plate, and A the strip I2 then is again bent at right-angles and extends downwardly along the surface of the plate I. It is vertically movable and is guided by a screw and spacing sleeve I2a at its upperend and a screw I2b at itslower end, slots I20 being provided in the strip I2 for permitting vertical movement. The strip I2 is provided with a side projection to which is fixed a pin I2d which projects inwardly to engage the troughof the element Ill.

The strip I2 has a side projection near its lower end which carries a pin I2e fixed thereto and which extends outwardly from the strip. The pin I2e engages one end of a guiding trough I3 through a slot in the right-hand end of this guide, the head of the pin being enlarged to extend over the edges of the slot and thereby retain this end of the guide in position. The opposite end of the guide I3 is similarly connected by a headed pin extending through its slotted end for holding thatend of the guide in any adjusted position, as will later be described.

The pin 'Im which has already been described as extending inwardly from the end of the block 1], projects within the trough of the guide I3.

' of the resistance of the controlled circuit is shortcircuited by this bar giving acondition corresponding to full bright of the controlled lamp circuit.- When the handle 8 is moved downwardly, it moves the strip 9 toward the front of the'panel and in view of the trough I0 being connected to the strip 9 by the pin Illa, it will cause the trough III to likewise move toward the frontof the panel.

by the handle I4 are more particularly shown in Fig. 2. The 'disk I la is rotatably supported on a screw Mb, which is fixed 9..) its inner-end to the main plate I, the disk being spaced somewhat from the plate. The disk is provided with a slot Me. A pin Md projects into this slot from the rear side of the disk, being carried by a horizon tally extending slidable strip I5. This strip has a pair of slotted openings I5a through which extend supporting and guiding. screws I512, the inner ends of which are fixed to the plate I. A troughshaped element I6 is pivotally connected at about its centerto the strip I5 by a pin I 611. One end of the element I6 carries a forwardly extending pin I which projects into a slot In: of another sheet metal plate I! which is supported by screws I'lb'and the left-hand screw I5b from the plate I. The plate I1 is spaced from the plate I by spacing sleeves on the innerportions of the screws; and

the plate I1 is provided with'slots IIc to'permit strip I8 are provided with slots I8cand the'screw IIb passes through theupperslot and a screw I8b passes through the lower slot which screws serve toguide the strip I8 in its vertical movement. A

' which'the pin I2e.of the strip I2 projects. The

projection on one side of the strip I8 carries a pin18d which extends into the trough of the element I6; and in the position shown in Fig. 2 the 'pin I8d coincides axially with the pivot pin Ilia of the element I6. Another projection on the opposite side of the strip I8 carries a pin I Be which projects into the slotted end of the guiding trougn I3, this end being the opposite end from that in head of the pin I8e is enlarged to retain that end of the guiding trough I3'in position. I

Adjustment of this end'of the guiding trough is obtained by movement of the handle M in the same way that the opposite end of the guiding trough is adjusted by movement of the handle 8. In Fig. 2 the handle I4 is shown in its lowest position with the result that the pin I8e is in its uppermost position. When the handle I4 is moved upwardly it shifts the strip l from the position shown in Fig. 2 rearwardly from the front of the panel. In view of the element It being connected to this strip and in view of the upper end of this element being slidable in the slot Ila of the plate H, the element It will be moved with the strip IS in the'angular position shown; and when thus moved, the pin 18d will pass along the trough of the element It resulting in the strip It being gradually moved in a downward direction. This in turn moves the pin l8e downwardly and thereby forces its end of the guiding trough 13 downwardly. This action in controlling the movement of this end of the guide I3 is the same as that already described with reference to moving the other end of the guide i3 by the handle 8. It is apparent that the two handles 8 and I4 adjust the two ends of the guide l3 respectively as may be desired, the adjustment by the handle l4 serving to determine the position of the contact bar 1 in scene 2.

The change from the assumed existing scene I wherein it was assumed that the lighting circuit of this panel was at full bright, to scene 2, is accomplished by the shifting of the plate 5 from the' position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3. When this is done, thecircuit controlling unit is carried bodily with the plate and results in the pin 1111. being forced to travel along the trough of the guide i3 and gradually moved upwardly. This results in the contact strip wardly until the plate 5 has been moved to its limiting position, at which time the pin 1m will coincide with the axis of the pin-I8e. The contact bar will thus be moved from the full bright position of Figs. 1 and 2 to the black-out condition of Fig. 3 at which time the apex of the contact bar is engaging the middle contact of the resistance. unit and all resistance thereof is effectively in series in the control circuit. If, however; the handle l4 had been adjusted to say a midposition instead of to its lowest position, the pin lte, instead of being raised to its uppermost position, would have assumed a half -way intermediate position; and in that case the guide l3 would have been adjusted at a smaller angle and would have moved the contact bar from the extreme position of Figs. 1 and 2 to a half-way position which would have resulted in the controlled circuit being changed from full bright to a. half bright condition.

trolled by the handle I, the handle 8 may be reset for the required condition of the circuit controlled by this panel for scene 3. When scene 2 is completed the plate 5 is shifted from the position shown in Fig. 3 back to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which results in the controlled circuit being adjusted according-to the setting of handle 8 for scene 3. Similarly after the completion of scene 2, the handle Il may be re-set for the condition required for scene 4 and the shifting of the plate 5 after the completion of scene 3 will result in the controlled circuit being made to conform to the new adjustment of handle I4 for scene 4. In the same way the changes to Subsequent scenes are obtainedfeach of which is determined by the setting 01' the handles 8 and H.

Id and contact bar I being gradually moved upv After the shifting of plate 5 to scene 2 as conpassing from the full bright condition of Figs. 1

and 2 to the black-out condition of Fig. 3, the condition of the controlled circuit-was gradually changed during the full movement of the plate I;

but if th adjustment of handle l4 had been such as to give a half bright condition for scene 2, then in passing from the full bright condition of scene I to the half bright condition of scene 2, the change would have taken place gradually throughout the full movement of the plate 5,"giving a proportional dimming from the full bright condition to a half bright condition.. The same proportional change throughout the full movement of the plate 5 would occur from any adjustment of one scene to the adjustment of the next scene. When a number of such panels are simultaneously controlled, in passing from one scene to the next, each circuit of the respective panels is similarly, graduallyand proportionally changed through the full movement of the plates 5, giving the condition commonly known as fading. In this way the lighting intensities of the circuits of one scene are gradually and proportionately changed to the predetermined lighting intensities of the circuits of the next scene.

Referring to Fig. 1, it has already been explained that the plate 5 of each panel is shifted by movement of the arm 5e. This is in turn controlled by turning the fader .shaft I! which is suitably supported at the rear of the panels and is extended to pass by the rear of each panel of the assembled sets of panels, as shown in Fig. 11. At the rear of each panel an arm Ilia extends from the fader shaft and each of these arms carries a pin l9b which engages a slot in the end of the arm ie of each panel. It is evident that turning the shaft is will cause the simultaneous actuation of the plates 5 of each panel and thereby cause all the respective circuits of each panel to be controlled in the I shifting from anyone scene to the next scene.

At the right of Fig. 11 is shown the fader panel for control of the shaft 19. From the front of this panel a handle 20 projects which is secured to a disk 2011 which extends partially through a slot in the front portion of its panel. This disk is rotatably supported at its center by a spacing sleeve and screw 20b, as indicated in Fig. 1. one end of the screw being fixed to the side plate of the fader panel. A link 20c,is connected at one end to a pin 20d on the disk 20a and at its other end to an arm 206 fixed to the fader .shaft I9. It follows that movement of the fader handle 20 from its upper position shown in Fig. 1 to its lower position, as shown in Fig. 3, results in turning the fader shaft in a counterclockwise direction and thereby shifts the plate 6 of each panel from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, thus passing from the scene controlled by the handles} of each panel to the next scene controlled by the handles ll of each panel. Similarly after thehandles I have been re-adjusted for a later scene, the movement of the fader handle 20 from its lower position to its upper position will result in transferring from the scene determined by the handles H to the scene determined by the handles 3. In casethere are two sets of panels, one above parts, the plate II is necessarily positioned to flx the guiding element It at the proper angle to handle 20 of panel 4 will cause the simultaneous movement of the .plates 5 of the upper set of panels as well as of the lower set of panels, giving simultaneous control of all the circuits in passing from one scene to the next.

In Fig. 11 there are two handles 2| and 21 at the top portion of each circuit controlling panel Ia. These are enabling and disabling handles for determining whether or not the circuits of each scene are made subject to the control. of masters. When these handles are down, as shown in Fig. 11, the circuits are not subject to control by'the masters but when these handles are up, or any selected one or more are up, such circuits are then subject to control by the masters. The means for accomplishing this result will be understood by reference to Fig. 1 which shows the handle 2| in its lower position. The handle is secured to a disk 2la which projects partially from the front portion of the panel .and is rotatably mounted on a screw 2lb and spacing sleeve for positioning the disk a short distance from the plate 2. The inner end of the screw 2|b is fixed to the plate 2. The disk is provided at its periphery with a radial slot 2|c. A triangular piece 22 of sheet metal is pivotally mounted at its lower end on a screw 22a. and a spacing sleeve to position this piece from the plate 2 so that one end .of this piece will extend over the portion of the disk 21a where the slot 2|c is located. At this end of the piece 22 is a pin 221) which extends inwardly to engage the slot 2|c.- On the side of the disk 2| (1 which faces the plate 2, are a pair of screws 2|d which support the ends of a spring wire 2|e. This spring wire passes under the slot 2|c and engages the pin 22b so as to give a snap action when the handle 2| is moved'to either of its two positions.

- the plate II and passes through and beyond a slot H d in this plate. vA sheet metal arm 24 is pivotally mounted at its front portion on'the plate 2; and when the pin 23a is in the position shown in Fig. 1, it coincides with the axis of the arm 24. This arm extends beyond the plate I and its outer end is provided with a slot 24a. This slot is engaged by a pin 25a carried by an arm 25b on the master shaft 25. It is evident that rotation of this master shaft will result in rotation of the arm 24 about its pivot. Fixed to the mid-portion of the arm is a'sheet metal piece '26 which is bent at an angle to cause its'front portion ;,2Iia to extend under and close to the inner side of the plate I The front portion of the piece 26 is provided with an open ended slot 26b and into which the inner end of the pin 23a projects. When the pin 23a is in the position shown in Fig. 1, it i in-the portion of the slot 261) that is most distantfrom the front of the panel. When the partsare in this position, any rotation of the master shaft 25 will have no effect on the control of the circuit of this panel bepermit fullrange of circuit control by the set-up handle 8.

When the handle 2| is moved upwardl from the position shown in Fig. 1, the slot 2 lo engaging the pin 22b causes the triangular piece 22 to be turned clockwise. This moves the strip 23 toward the front of the panel and causes the pin 23:! to move to the front of the slot lid in the plate II and to the front of the slot 26b in the piece 26. Under these conditions, a counter-clockwise turning of the master shaft 25 will, by the clockwise tuming of the arm 24, move the pin 23!! downwardly becausetthis pin is then at a distance from the axis of the arm24. The downward movement of the pin 23a causes the downward movement of the plate II and the parts will then assume the position shown in Fig. 4.

The downward movement of the plate II is thus controlled by the master shaft when the enabling handle 2| is in its upper position. In

Fig. 1, as already explained, the fader shaft I9 is in such position that the controlled circuit is on scene I as aifected by the handle 8, giving a condition corresponding to full bright of that circuit. But when the plate II is moved downwardly. by actuation of the master shaft 25, the control of the circuit is changed to give a dim-' ming of the lamp circuit; and when the master shaft has been turned to its limit, the circuit will be brought to a black-out condition. This is showniby the position of the contact bar in Fig. ,4 because at that time the contact bar has bee'n moved upwardly to insert all of the resist- I 1 account of the element l0 being pivoted at lila cause, although the master shaft-willtumthe arm 24 and its strip 26, no other parts will be actuated because the pin 23!: is over the axis-of the arm 24. Furthermore, at this position of the on the strip 9, the downward movement of the pin lilc causes the opposite end of the element ill to move upwardly. It thereby forces the pin |2d on the strip l2 upwardly and by reason of its pin |2e being connected to the guiding trough I3, it results that the pin 1m is caused to move illumination. However, if the master shaft had been in some intermediate position, then when the enabling hand1e 2|was moved upwardly, it

would force adjustment of the circuit controlling device to a condition corresponding with the intermediate setting of the master shaft. This is due to the fact that when the master shaft is in an intermediate position,.the slot 26b is at an;

angle to the slot- Id of the plate I I and whenthe enabling handle 2| is movedupwardly and forces the pin 2301. along the inclined slot 26b, I

it necessarily moves the plate upwardly by the action of the pin 23a in the slot Id 'ofthe portional adjustment of the circuit controlling device according to the position of the master shaft. For example, if the set-up handle 8 had been set at a three-quarters bright position, and

' the master shaft at' a half bright position, then 'move nentof the enabling handle to make the' plate. Furthermore, this movement gives a prothe circuit from three-quarters bright to half of three-quarters. bright, or three-eighths bright.-

It follows also, that when the enabling handle is moved to render the master ineifective, then, whatever the position of the master shaft, the circuit controlling device will necessarily assume a position corresponding to that of the set-up handle 8 and permit full range of control by the set-up handle 8 to any position desired. This is due to the fact that when the enabling handle is moved to it lower position, it moves the pin 23a to a position over the pivot of the element 24, thereby bringing the plate II to the position shown in Fig. 1 and'moving the guidingelement I to the angular position that determines the contact setting according to the position of the handle 8 whatever it may be. Also, this setting of the element In permits full range. of control by the handle I. a I

A similar or duplicate set of parts is provided for enabling master control when the fader has been shifted to make effective the scene controlled by the set-up handle I. Thus referring ,to Fig. 2, there is an enabling and disabling handle 21. The handle 21 is fixed-to a disk 21a supported by a screw 21b, the disk being provided with a slot 210 and screws 21d for supporting the spring 21c. These parts correspond to those describedwith reference to Fig. 1. There is also a triangular piece 28 pivotally supported on a screw 28a engagingthe plate I and carrying a pin 28b which enters the slot 210. A strip 29 is connected to one corner of the triangular piece and extends over the plate I! and carries a pin 29:; which passes through a slot lid in the plate II. An arm 30 which has an open ended slot Mia is pivotally supported on the plate I, the center of this pivotal support coinciding with the pin 29a in the position shown in Fig; 2. A second master shaft II which extends back of all the panels carries an arm ilb which in turn carries a pin lla engaging the slot 301:. The arm 30 has fixed thereto a sheet metal element 32 which has a portion 32a ofl'set from the arm and provided with an open ended slot 321) at its end. The pin "a of the strip 29 is prolonged to engage the slot I2b, these parts all being similar to those described with reference to Fig. l. a

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, the turning of the master shaft 3| in a counterclockwise direction will have no effect on the controlof the circuit because the pin 29 coincides with theaxis of the element 30 which permits fullrange of control by the set-up handle but when the enabling handle 21 is moved from'the position shown to its upper position. it shifts the strip 29 and its pin 29a to engagethe other end of the slot lid in the plate l1 and also' shifts this pin 29a along .the slot 32b, at some distance from the axis of the arm 30 and then transfers the controlling device' from its condition-determined by the setup handle only, to a condition proportionately modified according to the position of the master. *Under these conditions the turning of the master shaft ll in a counter-clockwise dithe position shown in Fig. 3;, and it has already been explained that by reason of the handle 8 2,840,087 master control effective, would result in dimming being set at full bright position and the handle ll being set at black-out condition, the shifting by'the fader resulted in bringing the control circuit from the full bright condition of Figs. 1 and 2 to the' black-out condition of Fig. 3. Assuming the 'condition of Fig. 3 and the enabling handle 21 moved to its upper positionythe turning of the master shaft 3| in a counter-clockwise direction will have no affect upon the" circuit controlling element. This is due to the fact that this element 1, as shown in Fig. 3 is already at blackout position. The actuation of the plate I! downwardly by the master shaft will move the pin |6c downwardly and turn the element [6 on its pivotal connection with the strip l5; but by reason of the fact that the pin 18d carried by the strip II has its axis coinciding *with the axis of the pin Ilia in this position, the rotation of the element IS on its pivot will have no effect in actuating the element l8 and likewise no effect on the movement of the circuit controlling element.

Considering the effect of the master shaft 25 in shifting the controlling element from the condition of Fig. l to the condition of Fig. 4, it was explained that the result was to change the circuit controlling element from a full bright condition to black-out, whereas in considering Fig. 3

it w s seen thatthe operation "of the master shaft 3| h d no effect on the circuit controlling element because this was already at black-out position. This shows the results when the set-up handles 8 and I4 are in the extreme limiting positions; but if either of these handles had been set to give the circuit controlling element an intermediate position, such as half bright or threequarters bright, then the movement of its master shaft toits limiting position after being enabled, wouldhave. resulted in bringing the circuit controlling element from its assumed intermediate position to black-out position. This action would.

and I8. Displacement of these pins from the axes of the elements I3 and I6 would correspond with the adjustments of the handles Band l4 and it would follow that whatever these adjustments might be, the master shafts would bring the circuit controlling element to the black-outposition when the master shafts were turned to their limiting positions. Furthermore the change from an existing condition by the masters to the blackout condition is proportional throughout the movement of the master shafts. That is, if one circuit adjustment on one panel was at full bright, on another panel half bright and another panel one-quarter bright, the control by 'the master shaft would resultin dimming the circuits proportionately so that the relative lighting effects of each circuit would be maintained approximately during the dimming by the master. When the master shaft is turned in the reverse direction, it will bring all of the circuits controlled thereby to a condition of illumination corresponding with the setting of the circuits. That is, from black-out condition it will bring each circuit controlled to full bright, three-quarters bright, half bright, or any other condition according to .the setting by the set-up handles; and during this brightening of the lights, the increase in the lighting efl'ects will be proportional with refer; ence to each circuit, maintaining the relative illumination in the same manner as occurred during the dimming of the lighting circuits. Also the master shaft, according to the amount it is turned, may dim the lighting effects proportionally to a partial dimming and then back to a condition corresponding to the set-up for particular lighting effects during an existing scene.

The two master shafts 25 and 3|, as already explained, extend along the back of each circuit panel in any set, asshown in Fig. 11, andthere is a master handle 33 and 34 for each of the two scenes of a set of panels) double row of panels, as shown in Fig. 11, there may be similarly master handles 33 and 34 for each row of panels. The master handles are fixed to rotatable disks 35 which extend forwardly somewhat from the master panels and are rotatably mounted on central screws fixed to the sides of the panels in the same way as th fader disk a is mounted. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the master handle 33 in its upper position, the master handles 34 being. back thereof. The disk 35 of the handle 33 has connected thereto at apoint displaced from the center of the disk, a link 36, the other end of which-is connected to an arm 31 extending from the master shaft- 25. Move- As there is a master panels of this character are herein designated as interlocking master panels. In Fig. 12 the two grand master panels for the different scenesare shown at 43a and 43b, the grand ment of the master handle 33 downwardly will thus cause the master shaft to rotatev in a counter-clockwise direction for the dimming of I the lamp circuits which may happen to be controlled thereby; and the reverse movement will 34 is connectedsimilarly has a link 38 connected to it which in turn is connected toan arm 39 of the master shaft 3|.- It is evident that movement of the master handle 34 downwardly will give a counter-clockwise rotation of its master shaft for the dimming of the lamps on circuits which may happen to be controlled by this master shaft 3|. In view of the fact that the circuit of each panel may be made subject to control by a master shaft by the movement of the enabling handles of the panels, it will be evident thatin, an existing scene any number of the enabling handles maybe selectably moved to the enabling position and certain circuits thereby' made subject to control of the master while others are not so controlled. In this way during each existing scene, certain of the lighting circuits may simultaneously be dimmed by a master shaft while others of that scene are not affected by the master shaft and remain at the illuminating conditioncorresponding to the position of the set-up handles.

In some cases it is desirable to provide grand master control in addition to master control of individual sections of panels. ditions, the individual masters of the different sets are made subject to control by the grand masters or not, as desired. A structure for securing this form of control is disclosed in F'gs. 12 .to 16. Referring to Fig. 12, the individual circuit panels'with set-up handles 8 and I4 and their enabling and 'disabling handles 2| and 21 are the same as already described. Likewise the .fa'der panel with its handle 20 and connections to the fader shafts l9 are the same asbefore; but the master panels 40a, 49b, 40c and 40d of Fig. 12 include not only the master handles 4la, 4lb, He and lid but also the enabling and disabling handles 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d whereby the masters may, when desired, be subjected selectively to control by the grand masters. The

master handles being indicated at 44a and 44!).

Figs. 13 and 14 show the structure of the in.- terlocking master panels,Fig.. 13 showing two. such panels 40a. and 400 one above the other for the master control of each set of individual circuit panels. These masters are for the control of one scene and a similar pair-of master panels 40b and 40d would provide master control for a different scene. The two master panels of Fig. 13 are duplicates of each other but are inter-connected for control by the grand master.

Each of these interlocking panels includes a main sheet metal plate 45 having a portion bent at right-angles to" form the narrow face of they panel. The master handle is connected. to a disk 46 which is rotatably mounted at 46a. upon the' plate 45 being somewhat spaced therefrom and has a portion extending through the front of the panel. The disk is provided with a radial slot 46b. A metal strip-41 extends across the mid-portion of the plate and is provided with a pair of slots 410. which permit the strip to be moved toward and from the front of the panel; being guided by screws 41!; which project through. the slots and are fixed to the plate 45. A pin 41c. carried by the front end of the strip proiects into the slot 46b. A downward movement of the master handle 4la will cause the strip 41 tomove from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the right by means of this slotted pin connection. A trough-shaped element 48 is pivotally mounted at 4% on the strip 41. The element 48 has a pin 48b at one end whichprojects into. a horizontally extending slot 49a vin a plate 49 which extends over the element 48 and strip 41, The other end of the element 48 is trough- I shaped, the trough facing the plate 49. A ver- Under such conupper positions.

tically movable strip 5|] extends under the end of the-element 48 and carries a pin 50a which'extends into the trough of element 48. The strip 50 is provided with a slot 50b at its lower end through which projects a guiding screw 50c fixed to the plate 45. The upper end of the strip 50 is connected to an arm 5| which is pivotally mounted at 5Ia on the plate 45. The endof this arm is provided with an open ended slot 5lb which engages a pin 52a carried by a rocker arm 52 pivotally mounted upon the plate 45 by the screw 52b.

The rear end of the arm 52 has an open ended slot 520 which engages a pin on an arm 53 se-' cured to the master shaft 25. The interlocking masterpanel adjoining the panel 40a is similarly formed for controlling a rocker arm 54 having an open ended slot 54a which engages a pin on [an arm 55 connected to the master shaft 38.

In operation, the control of th master shafts individually results from the movement of their respective handles 4m to :1, provided their respective enabling handles 42a to 42d are in their The latter condition is shown in the lower part of Fig. 13 permitting master control by the master shaft 25 of the lower set of panels. Downward movement of the master handle 4lc results in shifting the strip 41 toward thefront of the panel and carries with it the element. 48. With the plate 49 fixed in position.

. it results that the element is niaintained in the angular position shown as the pin 48b'moves alongthe slot 49a. The movement of the element 48 toward the front of the panel forces the I from their existing 59. This turns the arm 5| in a counter-clockwise direction which thereby turns the rocker arm 52 in a clockwise direction and the master shaft. 25 in a counter-clockwise direction. Such movement of the master'shaftresults in moving the circuit controlling element of each panel which is then subject to control by the master shaft, in a direction corresponding to the dimming of the lamps in the manner already ex- Dlained. Movement of the master handle in the reverse direction restores the circuits to their original condition. This manner of master control applies to each one of the master handles, the upper master handles Ma and D controlling the upper master shafts 25 and 3| and the lower master handles and 4| d similarly controlling the lower master shafts 25 and 9| respectively.

The grand master control is obtained by the upward movement of the plate 49 of the interlcckingmaster panels. At the back of each interlocking master panel is a pair of shafts 56 and II, the shafts 59 being for grand master control of one scene and the shafts 51 being for grand master control of another scene. The plate 49 of each interlocking master panel is provided with vertical slots 49!; through which pass screws 49c and one of the screws 41b which are fixed to the plate 45 and space the plate 49 from the plate 45. The slots 49b permit upward movement of the plate 49 on the screws. Such upward movement results in operation of its respective master shaft. For example, referring to the upper portion of Fig. 13, when the plate 49' 2,940,087 990 downwardly and carries with it the strip of the element 49 and under that condition the upward movement of the plate 49 would have no effect in moving the strip 59, or the master shaft 25, as such parts would already be in the position of black-out. In other words, full movement of the plate 49 of each interlocking master panel gives proportional control of the master shafts from the positions in which they have been set by the masterhandles.

The. plates 49 are controlled by movement of the grand master shafts 59 and 51. The shafts 56 have an arm 55a at the back of each interlocking master panel. These arms carry pins 59b which project within -open:ended slots-of the arms 58 which are pivotally mounted on the plates 45. These armsare pivoted at 59a on the plates 45 and have fixed thereto oifset portions 58b which have open ended slots 58c extending from over the pivotal center of the arms 58 to the front ends of the portions 58b; These parts are located between the plate 49 and the plate 45 and a pin 59a projects through a slot.

. this arm by.the.grand master shaft 59 has no is moved upwardly it carries the pin 49b upwardly which results in turning the element 49 on its pivot 49a and thereby,,through the'en-Y gagement of the pin 50a,-forbing the strip 59 downwardly. This, as already explained, will turn the master shaft 25 in a counter-clockwise direction for controlling the individual panels which are subject to its control at that time. In the same waythe master shaft 25 of the lower set of panels and the master shafts 3| of the two rows of panels would be operated by upward movement of the plate 49 of the interlocking master panels respectively.

The structure just described gives proportional control of the master shafts by the grand masters. For example. as shown in Fig. 13, the

- master handle a is in its uppermost position corresponding to full illumination of the controlled" circuits. The strip 41 is then at its extreme inward position and the pin 59a is then at the end of the trough of the element 49. Consequently when the plate 49 is moved upwardly, the strip 50 is given its full movement downwardly; and this brings the controlled'circuits condition proportionately to black-out condition. If, however, the master handle He had been brought to a position corresponding to halt bright, then the pin 590 would take a position half way between the end of the trough of element 49 and its pivot 49a. Then movement of the plate 49 upwardly its full amount would result in moving the pin 59a and its strip 59 from its intermediate half-way position to its extreme lower position, resulting in control. by

. 59awould take a position opposite the pivot 49a the pin 59a and in the upper portion of Fig. 13

I giving an operative connection between the mas- 58 by the grand master shaft willcause the pin 59a to move upwardly and .thereby move the plate 49 upwardly. Thus operation of the grand mast'er shaft will result in the movement of its plate 49 according to whether or not the pin 59a is displaced from the axis of the arm 59. The position of this pin 59a consequently determines whether or not the corresponding master shaft is operable by its grand master shaft.

The position of the pins 59a'of the interlocking panels is determined by their respective enabling and disabling handles 42a to 42d. When one or more of these handles are down, it results that their corresponding master shafts are made subject to control of their grand master shafts. But when these handles are up, the master shafts are not subject to control of the grand master shafts. Referring to the upper portion of Fig. 13, the handle 42a is shown secured to a disk 50 which is pivotally mounted upon the plate 45 and a portion of the disk projects through an opening a pin Bla carried on the end of ametal strip 9|. Another strip Gib is connected to this strip and is pivotally mounted at Me on the plate 45. A horizontally extending metal strip 59 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the strip Glb, the strip 59 extending over the plate 49 and carrying at its inner end the pin 59a. Thus the movement of the handle 42a will'determine the position of this pin is shown displaced from the axis 59a,

ter shaft '56 and the plate 49, thereby making the master shaft 25 subject to control by the grand master shaft 56. However, when the handle 42a is moved to its upper position it will shift the connectingparts so that the pin 59a is over the.

pivot 58a. Under this condition the master shaft is not controlled by the grand master shaft. The

lower portion of Fig. 13 shows the handle 420 in its upper' position and itscontrolled pin 59a then coincides with'the pivot 59a, showing the conditions when the related grand master shaft is ineffective in controlling its master shaft.

The relation of the master control to the grand .master control is similar to the relation of the handles 42a and 420 to their enabling positions for control by the grand master handle a for one scene and by movement of the' enabling handles 42b and 42d to their enabling positions for control by the grand master handle 44b for It is. evident that any number the other scene. of individual circuit controlling panels may be used and that they may be sub-divided into see-- the intermediate set-up of the grand master shaft. Such movement gives a proportional adjustment of the master shaft according to the position of the grand master shaft. It also follows that when the enabling handle is moved to render the grand master ineffective, then, whatever the position of the grand master shaft, the master shaft will necessarily assume a position corresponding to that of the master handle and permit full range of control by the master handle to any position desired.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 15, the upper grand master shaft 56 for controlling when desired the upper master shaft 25, is extended beyond the upper interlocking master panels and provided with an arm 62 which is connected to a link 63. This link is connected to an arm 64 of-the lower grand master shaft 56. The latter shaft extends beyond the interlocking master panels 400 and tions for selective control by masters for each section and that the masters of each section may be made subject to control by the grand masters selectably in the different scenes, giving a, wide range of flexibility of control.

In the case 01 some installations, the fading control from one scene to another may not be required; and in that event there would be only one series of set-up handles applicable to all scenes. They preferably would be subject, how- 40d and is provided with another arm 65 to which one end of a link 66 is connected. This link extends forwardly towards the grand master panel 43a and is pivotally connected at its front end to a disk 61 rotatably mounted upon the side plate 88 of the master panel. A portion of the disk 81 extends through an opening in the master panel 43a and has ,fixed thereto the grand master handle 44a. In Fig. 15 this handle is shown in its upper position and'when moved downwardly will rotate the two grand master shafts 58 in a clockwise direction and thereby operate either or both of the master shafts 25, according to the position of the enabling h dles 42a and 420, as already explained. The rand master shaft 51 of the upper row of panels is provided with an arm.69 to which a link 10 is pivotally connected. The lower end of the link is pivotally connected to an arm ll of the lower grand master shaft 51. This shaft is extended beyond the interlocking master panels 400 and 40d and provided with an arm I2 at its outer end. A link 13 is pivotally connected between this arm and the grand master disk 61 of the grand master panel 43b and is provided with a handle 44b for the simultaneous operation of the two grand master shafts 51.

It follows from the foregoing description with reference to the assembled panels of Fig. 12 that by means of the set-up handles 8 and [4 of the two rows of panels, two different scenes may be preset with any desired condition of the individually controlled circuits; that by means of the fader shafts and fader handle the change from an existing scene to the next scene is accomplished with proportional dimming of the one scene and proportional brightening of the next scene; that any individual circuit may be controlled as desired during an existing scene by movement of its set-up handle; that during each existing scene any selected number of the cirever, to control by one or more masters and in some cases to further control by a grand master. The inter-relation between the set-up handles and the master'shaft or shafts and between the grand master when used and the masters would be similar to that already described and give similar functional inter-actions.

Although certain embodiments of this invention have been described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof and may be varied to suit particular requirements.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit, comprising a support, a set-up handle adjustably'mounted on the support for selecting any desired adjustment of said device, an element actuated by movement of said handle to a position corresponding to the position of the handle, a guiding element pivoted on said first named element, .a slidable element engaging said guiding element for adjusting said device upon movement of said handle, a holding element having a slotted portion for engaging said guiding element for holding the same from turning on its pivot, a pivoted actuator for moving said holding element for turning said guiding element on its pivot, a slidable connection between said actuator and said holding element movable from the pivot of said actuator to a portion thereof at a distance from the pivot, and means for adjusting said connection for making movement of said actuator effective or ineffective in actuating said holding element.

2. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable de-. vice foraifecting a circuit, comprising a support,

. tuated by movement of said handles respectively to positions corresponding to the positions of said handles, a pair of guiding elements carried by said first named elements respectively, a pair of slidable elements engaging said guiding ele ments respectively for adjusting said device upon I movement of said handles, a guiding element the cuits may be subjected to control of a master by movement of one or more of the enabling handles it to their enabling positions for one scene and by movement of one or more of the enabling handles 21 to their enabling positions for the other scene; and that the masters may be subjected to simultaneous control by the grand masters when desired by movement of the enabling paratus for controlling an adjustable de-' opposite ends of which are adjusted by said slidable elements, a. slidable connection between said last named guiding element and the adjustable element of said device, and mechanical means for gradually shifting said slidable connection along said last named guiding element for moving the adjustable element of said device from the ad-' justment determined by one of said handles to the adjustment determined by the other of said handles.

a pair of set-up handles adjustably mounted on the support for respectively selecting any desired adjustment oi said device, a pair of elements actuated by movement of said handles respectively to positions corresponding to the positions oi said handles, a pail-oi guiding elements pivoted on said first named elements respectively, a pair of slidable elements engaging said guiding elements respectively for adjusting said device vupon movement or said handles, a pair oi holding elements for restraining said guiding elements respectively from turning on their pivots, a guiding element the opposite ends of which are ad- 7 iusted by said slidable elements, a slidable connection between saidlsst named guide and the adjustable element of said device, a pair of actuators for moving saidholding elements respectively for turning said first named guiding vice for aflecting a circuit, comprising a support,

a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the su'pport for selecting any desired adjustment 0! said device, a slidable element actuated to a position corresponding to the position of the handle, a

guiding element'pivoted on said slidable element,

a second slidable element engagingsaid guiding element for adjusting said device upon move ment or said handle, an additional adjustable element having a pin and slot connection with one end of said guiding element for normally restraining said guiding element from turning on its pivot, an actuator, and coupling .means between said actuator and said additional. adjustable element for moving thelatter in a direction to turn said guiding element on its pivot for also adjusting said device.

5. Apparat for controlling anLadJustable device ior aflecting a circuit, comprising a support, a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the support for selecting any desired adjustment of said device, a slidable element actuated to a position corresponding to the position of the handle, a guiding element pivoted on said slidable element, a second slidable element engaging said guiding element for adjusting said device upon movement or said handle, an additional adjustable element having a pin and slot connection with one end oi said guiding element for normally restraining said guiding element from turning on its ,pivot,

an actuator, and adjustable coupling means between said actuator and said additional adjustment on its pivot for also adjusting said device.

6. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable de- 2,s4o,os7 vice for affecting a circuit, comprising a support,

guiding element, means actuated by said third element for adjusting said device ppon movement of said handle, and means engaging said guiding element for adjusting the guiding element on said movable element in a difierent direction from said linear direction for thereby also adjusting said device by movement of said third'element.

7. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device ior affecting a circuit comprising a support, a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the support for selecting any desired adjustment of said device, a movable element, means controlled bymovement of said handle for actuating said movable-element in a linear direction to a position corresponding to the position of said handle, a guiding element pivoted on and carried by and bodily movable as a whole with said movable elea set-up handle'adjusta'bly mounted on the support ior selecting any desired adjustment of said device, a movable element, means controlled by movement'ot said handle for actuating said movable element in a linear direction to a position corresponding to the position of the handle, a

guiding element pivoted on and carried by and normally holding said guiding element from tuming on its pivot, an actuator for controlling movement of said restraining means, and an enabling device for making movement of said actuator eflective or ineflective in moving said restraining means.

9. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device ior affecting a circuit comprising a-support, a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the supportfor selecting any desired adjustment of said device, a movable element, means controlled by movement of said handle for actuating said movable element in a linear direction to a position corresponding to the position of the handle, a

guiding element pivoted on and carried by and bodily movable as a whole with, said movable elementin said direction and normally inclined vice for afiecting a circuit, comprising a support,

a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the support for selecting any desired adjustmentoi said device, a movable element, means controlled by movementoi said handle for actuating said movment, at third element slidably engaging said to said direction or movement at the same angle during said movement, athird element slidably engaging said guiding element from its pivot to other portions thereof, means actuated by said third element for adjustingsaid device according to the position of said handle, restraining means.

for normally holding said guiding element from turning on its pivot, an actuator for controllin movement of said restraining means, and an ene abling device'ior making movement 01 said actuator eflective or ineflective in moving said restraining means.

10. Apparatus for controlling .an adjustable device for affecting a circuit comprising a support, a set-up handle adjustably mounted on the supportfor selecting any desired adjustment of said device, a movable element, means controlled by movement of said handle for actuating said movable element in a linear direction to a position corresponding to the position of-the handle, a

guiding element pivoted on and carried by and pivot, and an enabling device between said actuator and said holding element for causing movement of said actuator to be efiective or ineffective in moving said holding element.

. 11'. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable element for affecting a circuit comprising a guide inclined at an angle to the direction of move- .ment of said element, a movable element connected with said guide for .moving said guide in 'a linear direction at an angle to the inclination of said guide, a slidable connection between said guide and said-adjustable element, and means for maintaining said guide at said inclined angle a, upon actuation by said movable element and for changing said angle for also adjusting said adjustable element, said means comprising a coupling for making the means effective or ineffective in changing said .angle and for setting said guide at said inclined angle when said means is made ineffective.

12. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable element for affecting a circuit comprising a guide inclined at an angle to the'direction' ofmove- 'ment of said element, a movable element connected with said guide for moving said guide in a linear direction at an angle to the inclination of said guide, a slidable connection between said guide-and said adjustable element, and means for maintaining said guide at said inclined angle upon actuation by said movable element and for changing said angle for also adjusting said adjustable element, said means comprising a coupling for making the-means effective or ineffective in changing said angle and for adjusting said guide to an angular position corresponding to that imposed by said means when said-means is made efiective.

"13. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of adjustable devicesfor affecting their respective circuits'comprising a plurality of adjustable handles and means respectively controlled thereby for controlling said devices respectively, means comprising a pluralityof rotatable actuators for also controlling said devices respectively independently of movement of said handles, a master element for actuating said actuators simultaneously, and enabling means for each actuator respectively for makipg the movement of.its respective actuator by saidimaster element efiective or inefiective in adjusting said devices, said enabling means comprisinga-slidable element for each actuator movable to coincide with the axis or its actuator or to engage actuator at a distance from said axis.

14. Apparatus for controlling aplurality ofseparately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually aflecting their circuits respectively,

comprising a plurality of set-up handles and 7 means respectively controlled thereby for adjustnism comprising a pivoted guiding element bodily movable as a whole with its pivot by said master handle in a linear direction and said guiding element being normally inclined to said direction of movement at the same angle during said movement for actuating said common element, means comprising a grandmaster element {or turning said guiding element onits pivot for also actuating said common element, and means for making movement of said ground master element' effective or inefiective in turning said guiding element on its pivot.

15. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles and means respectively controlled thereby for adjusting said devices respectively, master means comprising a common element'for simultaneous- 1y moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said handles, a master handle, mechanism between said master handle and said common element for actuating said element upon movement of said master handle, said mechanism comprising a pivoted guiding element bodily movable as a whole with its pivot by said master handle in a linear direction and said guiding element being normally inclined to said direction of movement at the same angle during said movement for actuating said common element to occupy variable positions according to the position of said master handle, means comprising a grand master element for turning said guiding element on its pivot for also actuating said'common element, and means for making movement of said grand master element effective or inefiective in turning said guiding element on its pivot and for permitting full range of adjustment by said master handle when said grand master element is made inefiective. e

16. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individuallyafiecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles and means respectively controlled thereby for adjusting said devices respectively, master means comprising a common element for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined 'by adjustment of said bandies to difierent desired positions independently of movement of said handles, a master handle, mechanism between said master handle and said common element for actuating said element upon movement of said master handle, said mechanism comprising a pivoted guiding element bodily movable as a whole with its pivot by said master handle in a linear direction and said guiding ele- 'm'ent being normally inclined to said direction of comprising a grand master element for turni said guiding element on its pivot for also actuating slid common element, and means for'making movement of said grand master element effective or inefiective in turning said guiding element on its pivot comprising a rotatable actuator and a coupling between said actuator and said guiding element adjustable from the axis of said actuator to a distance from said axis.

17. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of sets of'separately adjustable circuit controlling devices comprising a plurality of set-up handles in each set and means respectively controlled thereby for adjusting said devices respectively,.

, master handle in a linear direction and said guiding element being normally inclined to said direction oi movement at the sameangle during said mov ment for actuating the master shaft of its set, a grand master shaft for each set respectively, means comprising a rotatable element actuated by each of said grand master shafts for turning its respective said guiding element on its pivot for actuating its respective master shaft, and means comprising a grand master handle for actuating said grand master shafts simultaneously.

18. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of sets of separately adjustable circuit controll n devices, comprising a plurality of set-up handles in each set and means respectively controlled thereby for adjusting said devices respectively, means comprising a master shaft for each set for moving said devices of its set independently of the other of said sets and independently of movement of the handles of its set, a master handle for each set respectively, means comprising a pivoted guiding element for each set respectively bodily movable as a whole with it pivot by its master handle in a linear direction and said guiding element being normally inclined to said direction of movement-at the same angle during said movement for actuating the master shaft of its set, a grand master shaft for each set respectively, means comprising a rotatable element actuated by each of said grand master shaft for turning its respective said guiding element on its pivot for actuating its respective master shaft, means comprising a grand master handle. for aotuatingsaid grand master shafts simultaneously, and means for rendering movement of said rotatable elements individually efiectlve or inable as a whole with its pivot by its master handlev in a linear direction and said guiding element being normally inclined to said direction of movement at the same angle during said movement for actuating the master shaft of its set, a grand master shaft for each set respectively, means comprising a rotatable element actuated by each of said grand master shafts for. turning its respective guiding element on its pivot for actuating its respective master shaft,'means comprising a grand master handle for actuating said grand master shafts simultaneously, and means adjustable to and from the axis of said rotatable elements respectively for rendering said rotatable elements individually effective or ineflective in actuating their respective guiding elements. p,

20. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit comprising a pivoted inclined guiding element, meanscomprising an elementslidably engaging said pivoted guiding element for adjusting said device, an adjustable element for slidably moving said pivoted guiding element bodily as a whole in a linear direction at an angle to the inclination of said pivoted guiding element for adjusting said device, and a second a justable element for rotating said pivoted guiding element for also adjusting said device.

21.- Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device'for aifecting a circuit comprising a support, two set-up handles adjustably mounted on said support for selecting any desired adjustment of said device, two slidable elements each having inclined guides, said slidable elements being mounted on said support, means controlled by said handles respectively for adjusting said slidable elements to positions corresponding to f the respective positions of said handles, additional slidable elements having portions respectively engaging said inclined guides and actuated by movement of said first named slidable elements, an additional guiding element having its opposite ends respectively engaged by said additional slidable elements for adjusting the opposite ends of said additional guiding element, and means slidably engaging said additional guiding element for adjusting said device.

22. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit comprising a support,

two set-up handles adjustably mounted on said support for selecting any desired adjustment of said device, two slidable elements mounted on said support, means controlled by said handles respectively for adjusting said slidable elements to positions correspondingto the respective positions of said handles, two guiding elements piv otally mounted on'said slidable elements respectively, additional slidable elements having portions respectivelyengaging said guidingelements and actuated by movement of said first named slidable elements, an additional guiding element having its opposite ends respectively enga ed by said additional slidable elements for adjusting the opposite ends of said additionalguiding element, means slidably engaging said additional guiding element for adjusting said device, and two actuators engagingsaid pivoted guiding elements respectively for'turning them on their pivots for also adjusting said additional slidable elements.

23. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable deas support. two set-up handlesadlustably mounted on said support for selecting any desired adjustment .of-

said device, two slidable elements mounted on said support, means controlled by said handles respectively for adjusting said slidable element to positions corresponding to the respective positions of said handles, two guiding elements pivotally mounted on said slidable elements respectively,

additional slidable elements'having portions respectively engaging saidguidin'g elements and posite ends or said additional guiding e1ement,

means slidably' engaging said additional guidin elementior adjusting said device, two actuators engaging said pivoted guiding elements respectively for turning them on their pivots for also adjusting said additional slidable elements; and means for making movement of said actuators effective or inefieotivein turning; said pivoted guiding elements on their pivots.

GEORGE STAPLETON. 1 

